не
ne[nʲɪ]
The Russian word for "not" is не (ne).
The word не is used to make a sentence or a statement negative. In Russian, не usually precedes the word it negates.
Which one should you use?
While не is the standard negation for a single word, ни is used in specific constructions to express "not even one" or to reinforce a negative, often paired with не.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle не is used to negate verbs, adjectives, nouns and other parts of speech by placing it directly before the word being negated.
How do you pronounce it?
ne
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse the particle не (used to negate a specific word) with the word нет, which means "no" or indicates the absence of something.
Did you know?
- The particle не is cognate with the Old English word 'ne', which was used for centuries in England before 'not' became the standard.
- While не is a simple negation, Russians often use a 'double negative' construction by pairing не with another negative word. This does not cancel out the negation but actually makes the statement stronger.
- In Russian, adding не to an adjective can sometimes create a word with a completely different meaning than just 'not'. For example, недорогой does not just mean 'not expensive' but specifically 'affordable'.
Examples in context
- Я – не ты.I'm not you.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to negate a pronoun.Tatoeba #3069510 by Selena777, translation #3765653 by Wuzzy
- Я не все.I'm not like everybody else.This sentence shows how to express being different from a group.Tatoeba #4302530 by whatnot, translation #4300707 by AlanF_US
- Я не о вас.I'm not talking about you.This sentence illustrates negating a prepositional phrase.Tatoeba #4628867 by marafon, translation #3920692 by CK
- Я не говорю по-русски.I do not speak Russian.
- Она ни учится, ни работает.She neither studies nor works.
- Он не видит меня.He doesn't see me.
- У нее нет кота.She doesn't have a cat.
- 19602 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Olga and Sergey are discussing dinner plans.
- Ольга OlgaЯ не хочу есть пиццу.Ya ne khochu yest' pitstsu.I do not want to eat pizza.
- Сергей SergeyПочему? Ты её любишь.Pochemu? Ty yeyo lyubish'.Why? You love it.
- Ольга OlgaСегодня я не голодна.Segodnya ya ne golodna.Today I am not hungry.
- Сергей SergeyТогда пойдём просто гулять.Togda poydyom prosto gulyat'.Then let's just go for a walk.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry не, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries не, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
